Pointelle Statement Sleeve Blouse

Lately, I’ve been increasingly drawn to all things ruffle or statement sleeves, or both. Bell-sleeved tops have been the style that I gravitate toward most. As you already know, I do a lot of Etsy…let’s say “browsing”. During a recent trip to the site, I spotted a lovely pointelle dress that featured a dramatic, ruffled, bell sleeve. Oh my!

Have you ever found something that you liked, but didn’t quite love? That’s how I felt about the dress. It had a great neckline, nice fabric, and of course the sleeves were like a siren call, but the lack of versatility caused hesitation. I didn’t feel like a dress would get as much use as a separate, and I do so love to mix and match.

Unlike most commercial brands, Etsy offers you and I—not just the elites of the fashion world—access to the designers themselves. Now, as I’ve mentioned before, this in no way guarantees that you’ll be able to get exactly what you’re after every time, but you’re at least afforded the option to make a request.

A word of caution:  some designers take it very personally if you ask for an alteration of any kind on their creations; because they consider it like asking a painter to use another style, rather than the one they’ve chosen to express themselves.  I’ve met, and managed to offend, a few, and had some colorful wording tossed my way.  Thankfully, the designer behind this particular shop was amendable to my request to chop off the bottom half of the dress, making it into a darling blouse.

I just love the detailing on the side of the sleeves, I hadn’t noticed them before I got to see it in person.  Now that I’ve experienced just how well the top fits, photographs, and felt the softness of the fabric, I’m still very seriously considering the dress as well.

While we were taking photos, Krull decided that it was time for his afternoon walk, and photobombed me a few times.  After the umpteenth intrusion—yes, he is that persistent and demanding; we are a well trained pair of humans, who obey his whims—we just decided to take a few shots with him in them.  He’s so darn cuddly, and I really liked the results, so I decided to go ahead and share them.

Have a lovely day, everyone. I’ll see you next time :)